Octogenarian in the prime of life
by R. S. Karunaratne
From a psychological perspective, elderly people tend to decline in
health and mental capacity. Most elderly people feel that their memory
"isn't what it used to be." Numerous research studies show a decline in
the proficiency of long term memory in older adults. However, most of
these studies have been based on artificial laboratory tests that bear
little resemblance to the memory challenges that people counter in
everyday life. Thus, it is difficult to say whether the memory losses
occur in the old age. Kusuma de Mel appears to be an ideal case for
psychologists to assess whether memory losses occur in all adults
approaching old age. In her late 80s she is still active as a writer.
She keeps on writing stories for children and her own biography.
 |
|
Kusuma de Mel
Pic Geeth de Mel |
Although she started writing at the age of 28, Kusuma de Mel began to
write books for children only in 1997. Her first book titled Tikiri Gee
Ama was a collection of songs. Then she wrote Peni Velendi, Kusum
Nendage Katha, Api Pasal Giya Heti, Muthun Miththan Gaman Giya Heti,
Paan Nevei Banis, Saravita, Podi Mallige Bada Ridenavalu, Chuti Nangige
Menik Thodu and Adi Kale Bhakthi Gee.
Enthusiasm
Her unflagging enthusiasm in writing resulted in publishing many more
books such as Thovil Polak, Anaberakaraya, Bakki Karaththaya, Achali
Babage Onchillava, Aadarayen Liyami Handahami Vethatai, Ambalame Pina
and Ape Game Katha.
If she used her full name - Hewawasam Gardiya Lakshapathi Merennage
Kusumawathi Piyaseeli Fernando Gunaratne Wickramasekere - nobody would
have remembered her. So, she opted to use Kusuma de Mel which has become
a household name.
Kusuma de Mel started writing after the death of her journalist
husband Lal Premanath de Mel. She has produced an equally prominent
journalist son, Sundara Nihathamani de Mel who is the editor of the
Lakbima Irida Sangrahaya. Sathis Pemruwan, another son, is the Director
General of Arthacharya Foundation. Her third son Subhashana Manaram is a
Chartered Accountant.
Family life
Born on July 16, 1926 as the youngest daughter in a family of four,
Kusuma studied at Shikshadana, Moratuwa. She worked as a teacher at
Chandrasekara School, Horethuduwa from 1948 to 1950. From 1956 to 1958
she was on the Janatha editorial as a journalist. In 1978 she functioned
as the Registrar of Marriages, Salpiti Korale, Moratuwa.
Kusuma de Mel says she has no regrets in starting her writing career
late in life. Apart from writing a number of children's books, she has
written two semi-biographical novels titled Pipi Kusumak Se and Mudu
Kusumaki Ae. She says she has more than 50 manuscripts ready for
printing. What is more, she is busy writing her autobiography.
Looking back, Kusuma de Mel remembers one incident vividly. Once she
was entrusted with a hyperactive child who refused to read books or do
any studies. Although she was not a trained teacher, she disciplined the
child who later became a bright student. Today she is gainfully employed
in a private organisation.
It is well known that physical exercise is correlated with greater
longevity because it promotes a diverse array of specific benefits. But
there are benefits and risks involved in exercise. Kusuma de Mel has
opted to remain mentally active by writing books and disseminating what
she has learned during the past few decades. She sets an example for
those wasting time and lamenting over the past in their old age.
|
